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Your Body Holds More Than You Realize
In the world of holistic health and wellness, the concept of somatics has been gaining traction as a powerful approach to healing and personal growth. Combining principles of body awareness with therapeutic touch, somatic massage offers a unique path to addressing both physical and emotional challenges. Ashley has been studying somatics and mindfulness since 2021 in an effort to understand how to incorporate it into the practice.
Turns out you may already be doing some somatic work!
So, What Exactly Is Somatics?
Somatics is a field of study and practice that focuses on the body as experienced from within. It emphasizes the mind-body connection and how our internal experiences shape our physical well-being. The term “soma” refers to the living body in its entirety – including thoughts, emotions, and sensations. This can be practiced in many different ways from mindfulness techniques, to touch, movement, and even breath work.
How Somatic Massage Is Different from Regular Massage
At the heart of somatics is the understanding that our mental and emotional states are intimately connected to our physical experiences. Stress, trauma, and other psychological factors can manifest as physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, pain, or even digestive issues. Conversely, physical experiences can profoundly impact our mental and emotional well-being. If you want to understand this more deeply I recommend reading “The body keeps the score” by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. Although some of the topics, techniques, and suggestions have evolved it’s still a great start on your somatic journey. If you want more book or podcast suggestions let me know! I can always update this as I find new things.
The biggest difference is that somatics is more of a feeling while massage is an action. We hold space so that no matter what you have going on it can be worked though safely.
Ask Ashley how somatic practices can help you manage your chronic pain.
What Happens During a Somatic Massage Session?
Somatic massage is a therapeutic approach that incorporates principles of body awareness into traditional massage techniques. Unlike conventional massage that primarily focuses on physical manipulation of muscles and tissues, somatic massage encourages active participation and awareness from the client. Generally in the form of asking for feedback and widening the client’s awareness of different areas of the body.
Because of some misinformation some people assume that myofascial release means you have an over the top reaction to the body work. Everyone will have a reaction to bodywork and it will vary form person to person. In the world of somatics however this happens on a small level almost unnoticeable. A slight shift of the pelvis or better range of motion in the neck. Most of the change is happening on an emotional level. Noticing how your neck is tight when you recall certain memories or crying because a memory is over powering. Whatever change is happening it is felt by the client more so than with the practitioner.
Key aspects of somatic massage include:
Clients are guided to tune into their bodily sensations, promoting a deeper understanding of their physical and emotional states.
Therapists use touch not just for physical manipulation, but as a means to facilitate awareness and release of tension.
Simple movements may be incorporated to help clients explore their range of motion and body patterns.
Open communication between therapist and client is encouraged to address any emotions or memories that arise during the session.
Benefits of Somatic Massage
There are more and more studies being done that go into the mind body connection in relation to trauma. The best way to help someone tune into their body is through touch. There are many different techniques a somatic massage therapist can use such as Dermoneuromodulating or myofascial release. Somatic massage can offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- Relief from chronic pain and tension
- Improved posture and body mechanics
- Enhanced body awareness and self-regulation
- Reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Better sleep quality
- Increased emotional resilience
All of this and more go into being able to fully feel your body. Knowing what pain is because it is now gone is a big one. I have had clients say that they had no idea they were even in pain because they got so used to how it felt. While everyone is different there are some common things that occur when an emotional release occurs. I have had people cry, let out exasperated sighs, and more. However your body decides to unwind a somatic massage therapist is here to help you through.
What the Research Says
While research specifically on somatic massage is limited, studies on related body-based therapies have shown promising results. For instance, research has demonstrated the effectiveness of body-oriented therapies in treating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions.
A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that a body-focused therapy significantly reduced PTSD symptoms and depression in participants. While this study didn’t specifically examine somatic massage, it underscores the potential of body-awareness approaches in addressing both psychological and physical symptoms.
Somatic massage can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with:
- Chronic pain or tension
- Stress-related conditions
- Trauma or PTSD
- Anxiety or depression
- Body image issues
- Athletic performance improvement
It’s important to note that somatic massage often involves a more active participation from the client compared to traditional massage. If you’re considering this approach, it’s crucial to find a qualified practitioner who can guide you through the process safely and effectively.
The Bottom Line
Somatic massage offers a unique blend of touch therapy and body awareness, providing a holistic approach to healing and personal growth. By addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of our experiences, it can be a powerful tool for those seeking to improve their overall well-being.
Remember, everyone’s journey to health and wellness is unique. If you’re interested in exploring somatic massage, consider booking with Tranquil Therapy Wellness.
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FAQ
Somatic massage is a therapeutic approach that combines hands-on bodywork with guided body awareness. Rather than working on you passively, a somatic massage therapist invites you to tune into your sensations, notice patterns of tension, and actively participate in the process. The goal isn’t just to loosen tight muscles — it’s to help your nervous system feel safe enough to let go.
In a traditional massage, you relax and the therapist does the work. Somatic massage is more of a conversation. Your therapist may ask what you’re noticing, guide your attention to a specific area, or incorporate small movements to help you explore how your body responds. It’s a more collaborative, whole-person experience.
Yes — and often in ways that purely physical approaches don’t. Chronic pain frequently has a nervous system component, meaning the body has learned to stay in a guarded or heightened state even after an injury has healed. Somatic massage works with that pattern directly, helping the body relearn what it feels like to be at ease. Many clients are surprised to discover tension they didn’t even know they were carrying.
Not in a therapy sense — there’s no pressure to process emotions out loud. Your therapist may check in with simple questions like “what do you notice here?” but the session is guided by your comfort. Some people find words come naturally; others prefer to stay quiet and just feel. Both are completely okay.
Sometimes when the body unwinds held tension, emotions surface — a sudden urge to cry, a deep sigh, or a wave of relief. This is a normal, healthy response and nothing to worry about. It simply means your nervous system is shifting. Your therapist is trained to support you through it without making it a bigger deal than it needs to be.
Absolutely. In some ways, coming in without preconceived notions about what massage “should” feel like can be an advantage. Your therapist will walk you through everything and work at whatever pace feels right for your body.
